At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories. That it depends thereby less on large names, but on the future potential and whether the market also recognizes these perspectives, was one of its first learnings at the stock exchange.
On these pages, Nico examines current events at listed companies and takes a closer look at companies that are traded under the radar of the market, in addition to well-known securities.
In order to be able to take advantage of speculative opportunities on the stock exchange, Nico not only focuses on a balanced asset allocation of defensive and opportunity-oriented securities, but also on an intact risk management. "In addition to position size and entry in several tranches, investors should also develop a sense of timing and get to know a stock better before investing," says the columnist.
Commented by Nico Popp
Commented by Nico Popp on March 9th, 2026 | 07:30 CET
Energy Shock? Linde, Veolia, and AHT Syngas Offer Strategic Solutions
The stock market and economy are more volatile than ever. The reasons for this are the military escalation in the Middle East and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. With crude oil prices exceeding USD 90 per barrel and, according to analysts, potentially rising to over USD 150 in a prolonged crisis scenario, the industry is facing a serious challenge. In this environment, the dynamics of the energy transition are also changing: decarbonization is no longer just a regulatory goal for companies, but has become a survival strategy for their own competitiveness. While the industrial gases group Linde forms the technological backbone of decarbonization with its expertise in hydrogen logistics, Veolia Environnement secures resources and even generates crisis-proof cash flows through the management of global material cycles. A.H.T. Syngas is also a good fit with the companies mentioned above. Its gasification plants convert industrial waste streams directly at their source into cost-effective synthesis gas and green hydrogen – a decentralized technology that is more relevant today than ever before.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 6th, 2026 | 07:25 CET
"Security energies" – how to invest: RWE, Iberdrola, and RE Royalties as stable sources of returns
The energy debate has been conducted differently for some time now than it was in the 2010s. While decarbonization was long considered an ecological necessity, it has now become a question of national sovereignty under the banner of "security energies." This new perspective is being fueled by current geopolitical upheavals and the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which once again reveals the fragility of our supply chains. With around 20% of global oil consumption passing through this bottleneck, prices for crude oil and liquefied gas have already risen significantly. In this context, German Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider coined the term "security energies" to emphasize the decentralized nature of renewable energy as a shield against exogenous shocks. Renewable energy projects are not subject to the logic of geopolitical conflicts and also generate added value in the region, as a wind farm, for example, can generate annual revenues of around EUR 200,000 for a municipality. Renewable energy can also become a safety anchor for investors thanks to stable cash flows.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 6th, 2026 | 07:10 CET
Uranium ensures energy sovereignty: How investors can profit with Stallion Uranium, NexGen Energy, and Constellation Energy - which stock is the favorite?
In times of war, uranium rises from a cyclical commodity to a strategic asset. Even in Germany, people are aware of the dilemma that the energy policy of recent years has maneuvered them into: either they are dependent on imports, or they have to think more openly about technology, for example, nuclear power. The Canadian Athabasca Basin is considered the center for securing the West's supply of uranium. Reports from the International Energy Agency (IEA) show that market dynamics are no longer driven solely by traditional demand from utilities. Tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta, and Google have long seen nuclear power as one of the few scalable solutions for the base load requirements of their AI data centers. As a result of this surge in demand and years of underinvestment in exploration, spot prices for uranium exceeded the USD 100 per pound mark in January. The combination of Stallion Uranium's exploration potential, NexGen Energy's industrial implementation, and Constellation Energy's hunger for energy illustrates how investors can benefit from securing the Western energy chain. We present the companies and our favorites.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 5th, 2026 | 07:30 CET
Between market panic and profit: What Almonty has in common with Apple and IBM
The war in Iran has long since become a conflagration in the Middle East, including energy price shocks. Trading on Tuesday was particularly typical of this market environment. The day perfectly reflects the psychological state of market participants. Driven by horror stories from the Middle East and concerns about a global energy crisis, many stocks experienced drastic fluctuations. But while many stocks are still under pressure, Almonty's share price revealed a pattern that experienced market participants interpret as a sign of relative strength. After initially falling sharply, the stock stabilized rapidly, pushing the price back up significantly before the close of trading. In periods of extreme uncertainty, investors are not looking for short-term speculation, but rather for companies with a unique market position, a crisis-proof margin structure, and operating potential based on irreplaceable resources. We draw historical comparisons and explain that even heavyweights such as IBM and Apple have had to weather headwinds in the past.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 4th, 2026 | 07:05 CET
Uranium as a geopolitical bargaining chip after the Hormuz shock - Standard Uranium, Kazatomprom, and F3 Uranium in focus
The escalation in the Middle East, which culminated in a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the death of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has triggered a global energy shock. With around one-fifth of global oil consumption passing through this bottleneck, oil prices have skyrocketed. In their latest market forecasts, analysts at JPMorgan warn of scenarios in which the price could rise to USD 130 or, in extreme cases, up to USD 300 per barrel. This is hitting Asian industrial nations particularly hard and has ruthlessly exposed the vulnerability of international supply chains for fossil fuels. In this environment, uranium is becoming a decisive geopolitical bargaining chip, as nuclear power, at least since the recent conflagration in the Middle East, must no longer be seen merely as a measure of climate protection, but as an instrument of national security and energy sovereignty. We present three uranium companies and highlight which stocks are most interesting for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 3rd, 2026 | 07:40 CET
Paradigm shift in oncological dermatology: Vidac Pharma as an innovator, what are Almirall and Biofrontera doing?
Oncological dermatology is on the cusp of a revolution that could fundamentally change our understanding of cancer treatment. Persistence Market Research estimates that the global market for the treatment of actinic keratosis will reach a volume of around USD 7 billion by 2026. Analysts expect the market to grow to between USD 11.1 and 14.45 billion by the mid-2030s. This momentum is driven by the aging global population, cumulative UV exposure due to changing leisure habits, and increased awareness of the dangers of skin cancer. Currently, established industry giants such as Almirall and Biofrontera dominate the standard of care for actinic keratosis with their proven products. However, Vidac Pharma marks the transition from merely combating symptoms to a revolutionary procedure in oncological dermatology. This makes the company an opportunity for growth-oriented investors seeking access to a completely new class of drugs in the field of metabolic oncology.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 3rd, 2026 | 07:15 CET
Silver as a crisis investment: Silver Viper, Fresnillo, and Pan American Silver offer strategic potential, but which stock is the best?
Silver supply has not been able to meet demand for some time now, and now chaos in the Middle East is adding to the problem. Military escalation in the region has triggered a chain of events that is shaking the foundations of global supply security. The direct conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has long since spread to the entire region, highlighting the geopolitical vulnerability of international supply chains. With the launch of the "Epic Fury" military operation and Iran's subsequent attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the risk of prolonged stagflation for the global economy is growing. In this volatile environment, precious metals are benefiting as a strategic asset class. While investors are increasingly turning to crisis investments, Mexico, in particular, is benefiting in the silver sector, offering a reliable environment thanks to its centuries-old mining tradition and geographical distance from the current trouble spots. We present exciting stocks and focus on the hidden gem Silver Viper.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 2nd, 2026 | 07:30 CET
Great opportunities in Central Africa: DRC Gold, AngloGold Ashanti, and Gold Fields in Focus
We are witnessing a historic rally in the price of gold, which is fundamentally changing both the balance sheets of established corporations and the strategies of emerging explorers. As recent analyses by PwC and McKinsey show, the precious metal has evolved from a pure hedge against inflation to a strategic guarantee of security. Forecasts by leading investment banks Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan suggest that, in the wake of ongoing central bank purchases and currency devaluations, a rapid rise to as much as USD 6,300 per ounce by the end of the year is possible. Experts at State Street Global Advisors also point to the escalating global debt crisis as the primary driver of precious metal prices. In this phase, DRC Gold's realignment marks a decisive turning point in the development of African gold reserves. The company has acquired the option to acquire majority interests in the high-grade Giro and Nizi projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo through a binding agreement. This positions the explorer in the renowned Kilo-Moto greenstone belt in the immediate vicinity of the world-class Kibali mine, which is operated as a joint venture by AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick Mining, and the state-owned company SOKIMO, and allows it to leverage the pull of the industry giants for its own growth.
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Commented by Nico Popp on March 2nd, 2026 | 07:05 CET
Strategic raw materials: How Power Metallic Mines and FPX Nickel secure supply chains and what is important for Mercedes-Benz
The automotive industry is at a critical turning point where the availability of strategic metals is no longer just a question of price, but a basic prerequisite for the transformation to electric mobility. Vehicle manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz are consistently aligning their production with an "electric-only strategy" and placing the upstream value chain for nickel, copper, and platinum group metals at the center of their planning. Securing these essential raw materials must be done under the strictest environmental, social, and ethical criteria in order to optimize the carbon footprint of the high-performance batteries produced and to meet the requirements of investors and regulatory authorities. In this market environment, specific solution providers from Canada are emerging, serving the rapidly growing demand for clean and transparent raw materials with fundamentally different exploration approaches.
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Commented by Nico Popp on February 27th, 2026 | 07:35 CET
Dividend powerhouses like Kimberly-Clark and General Mills: How RE Royalties could benefit from AI
When it comes to investing, substance is set to regain importance in 2026, as JPMorgan Asset Management writes in its "2026 Year-Ahead Investment Outlook." The market environment is characterized by geopolitical fragmentation, while at the same time the rise of artificial intelligence is creating new structural demand for decentralized energy solutions. In this context, innovative revenue models such as royalties can form the foundation of a robust dividend portfolio. We present the established consumer goods giants Kimberly-Clark and General Mills, and also discuss innovative financing models in the renewable energy sector, as successfully implemented for years by the still relatively unknown company RE Royalties.
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